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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Not to be too harsh, but here we go. That was idiotic. Dozens of threads that could have been tied into something interesting left to languish in the abyss with nothing to come of them, selfish idiots getting away with a fortune and painted as someone deserving pity, the book ending before the ENTIRE POINT of the story even happens, and all of it done with half-cocked writing. Open a phone book and read it. It'll be less painful.
Immediately from the first few pages, I was hooked on this book because it didn't waste any time jumping into the action. Similarly, it doesn't get stuck on the main premise of just Florence's death, as there is so much going on with all the side characters in the novel, and there is overall so much complexity keeping the book vibrant and captivating throughout. I really loved all the characters, each one with a nice balance of both good and bad qualities that kept them both likable and realistic. No matter which "sub-plotline" the chapter was about, I was genuinely interested and invested. Although obviously being historical fiction is a large aspect of this story, it isn't overbearing in the writing. The writing is still very approachable and relatable on many levels, with the historical elements also mixed it.
The only let down of this novel was the ending which wasn't as satisfying as I was hoping for, but also wasn't particularly surprising. But the connection that I felt to each character and the balance between light-hearted and depressing that this story strikes was really unique, and overall this was a really great and enjoyable read.
The only let down of this novel was the ending which wasn't as satisfying as I was hoping for, but also wasn't particularly surprising. But the connection that I felt to each character and the balance between light-hearted and depressing that this story strikes was really unique, and overall this was a really great and enjoyable read.
Warm and languid but not very exciting, like its setting at the beach in Atlantic City. Poignant picture of a well-off Jewish family in the 1930's in the U.S. with Nazism rapidly showing its ugly face in Europe and beginning to affect life in America. I didn't understand a lot of the culture references and I think that detracted from my potential enjoyment of the story.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Loved this book! This book deals with a family handling and hiding the death of a family member. I couldn't put it down.
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Enjoyable read, but I think I'd only read it once.
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not being one for contemporary literature, I found this novel to be refreshingly well written. Beanland's writing allows you to identify with the characters, whether you like them or not, something that most contemporary writers, I feel, seem unable to do.
The saga, both sad and gripping, is shaped around a tragic swimming accident involving the youngest daughter of an immigrant family. By page fifteen, I admit, I was emotionally distraught and could not put the book down as I was drawn in page after page to a family torn apart not only by the tragedy of losing their daughter, but also the many issues of untold truths that unfold around each character.
The fact that it's a personal historical fiction derived from the author's own family makes it that much more compelling. I highly recommend this book
The saga, both sad and gripping, is shaped around a tragic swimming accident involving the youngest daughter of an immigrant family. By page fifteen, I admit, I was emotionally distraught and could not put the book down as I was drawn in page after page to a family torn apart not only by the tragedy of losing their daughter, but also the many issues of untold truths that unfold around each character.
The fact that it's a personal historical fiction derived from the author's own family makes it that much more compelling. I highly recommend this book